Lenham Focus | February ’16

FEBRUARY 2016 IN THIS EDITION

Fire Walk Walk on Fire for HOKH

Lenham Fire Station Read about its history

2 More Poems Keep them coming!

Neighbourhood Plan Read about the plan

SEE PAGE 10

SEE PAGE 11

SEE PAGE 14 + 26

SEE PAGE 22

PAGE 2

@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

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PAGE 4 FEB 2016

Welcome to the February edition of the Lenham Focus.

I would like to apologise to anyone who didn’t receive their January Focus; due to some unfortunate events the regular distribution has been disrupted and we are trying to get this back on track for this month.

James Collett Editor

It’s been a quiet start to the year if the Dates for Your Diary is anything to go by. Please remember that any organisation can ask for an event to go in this section. An article is not essential to get into the Dates for Your Diary but it would be nice.

Welcome

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I would like to repeat my request for articles, they don’t need to be long just informative and interesting. As

As ever if you would like to get involved in the Focus in any capacity please contact one of the team and we will discuss where you can help out. There is always something that needs doing.

Editorial: James Collett 07927 308740 | editorialslf@gmail.com

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Interviews: Jim Myers

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Volume 18 Edition 2 (February 2016) Circulation 2000 Copy Deadline: 5pm 7th of the preceding month.

Please leave copy at 24 Maidstone Road, or contact us.

Focus is Distributed by Volunteers to: Lenham Village, Lenham Heath,

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we are also now building the Focus website, which we hope will have a wider readership, they don’t all need to be centered around Lenham and can be on your hobbies, interests or simply your observations. We will make every effort to publish what is supplied and if for some reason we can’t we will always discuss this with you first.

For ‘Out of Town’ Readers Distribution: Lenham Community Centre, Chequers Fish Bar, Lenham Post Office, Len Valley Newsagents and Harrietsham Post Office.

Published by Lenham Focus Lenham Focus is published by the Lenham Focus Team. Any opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not the publishers.

Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine to ensure that they are correct and accurate

at the time of printing and the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The publication of advertisements does not constitute an endorsement by the publishers. Authors of articles and advertisements in Focus take full responsibility to ensure they obtain any prior permission for use of copyright materials. The Focus can forward any complaint directly to an author of any said article which a reader finds displeasing for them to respond directly. Every reader has the opportunity to a ‘right of reply’ to publish their view in the Focus as long as a name, committee group or organisation is named.

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Concert of Favourite Music 2 In aid of

Heart of Kent Hospice Simon Proctor Piano

The Heart of Kent Orchestra Conducted By

Thomas Shelbourn with

Phil Humphries Serpent

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JAMES BOND PIANO CONCERTO FRANK SINATRA PIANO CONCERTO SERPENT CONCERTO all by Simon Proctor, plus The Entertainer, Für Elise, Sabre Dance, Nocturne in E flat (Chopin), The Phantom of The Opera, Liebestraum No. 3, In The Hall of The Mountain King

7.30pm on Saturday February 27th 2016 Invicta Grammar School Huntsman Lane, Maidstone ME14 5DS

Tickets £12 Adults, £8 Children To book visit www.hokh.org Tel: 01622 790195 Email: fundraising@hokh.co.uk RCN 298164

Borough Council Corner

by Tom & Janetta Sams PAGE 6

Council Corner

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FEB 2016

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A

t the end of last year the Borough Council discussed the issue of 20 mph area zones within the borough. We were able to obtain some local press coverage on the radio on this and hope that the campaign around ‘20s plenty’ will attract the support it deserves. We would to thank those who made themselves available to talk to the reporter from radio Kent, but who were unable to, for their patience.

At the full council meeting there

was overwhelming support for it among nearly all councillors with a few notable objectors to the vote. The council will, we hope, consult and ask residents their views. Certainly in Lenham we hope that the time of 20mph arriving in the square might just be getting nearer.

We are chasing many planning issues and other concerns from residents that unfortunately have not been resolved, and unfortunately this is a very time consuming activity and not always successful. Thank you for your patience. It is helpful to receive reminder emails and calls.

Coppins, serving in the 6th Battalion Royal West Kents, who is buried at Loose.

by Amy Myers

Lenham continued its war efforts holding events to support the VAD hospital in the Square, and Chilston Park opened up its grounds for army drills. Only a few weeks earlier, the Maidstone Fire Brigade (there was no Lenham fire station then) had been called to Chilston Park when the hall chimney was on fire. The fire did no damage, but the water used to put it out did. In February, however, the Viscountess Chilston suffered the indignity

T

The misery of war continued.

By the middle of the month, fighting was again in progress along the Ypres front, and the enemy broke through the British lines for about 700 yards after a heavy bombardment. Ominously on the French front the Battle of Verdun began on the 21st February with a massive offensive from the enemy.

Lenham suffered the sad loss of 20-year-old George

We do our best to be available for residents and can be contacted by email on janettasamscllr@ gmail.com or tomsamscllr7@ gmail.com or by phone on 01622 859412.

There have been many changes

One Hundred Years Ago... he February weather was unusually mild, but that was of little comfort.

The Military Service Act would come into force on 2nd March and local tribunals were hard at work hearing appeals against conscription which had to be settled before that date. In the Maidstone area claims varied widely, from being conscientious objectors or the sole support of their families to an appeal from the Sharp’s Toffee factory for their key member of staff to be exempted because sugary foods were vital for both troops and the civil population

in the make-up of Lenham Parish Council and volunteers are always welcomed, please contact the Clerk if you can offer help, it is encouraging to see the number of Parish councillors increasing again. Lenham has a great community spirit and our volunteers do excellent work, this becomes lighter with every additional helper.

of being fined the sum of £1 lls.

6d.(£1.57) for a breach of the lighting order in Bexhill, for which she expressed her regret.

As well as food shortages, there were never-ending Government cuts to cope with. One of the latter was the closure of all museums and art galleries, and protesters were quick to point out that the entire savings from this equalled only one fifth of MPs’ salaries.

Some things never change.

Dates for your Diary Keep up-to-date with the latest goings on in and around Lenham.

25 February Family Festival Meeting If you are interested in joining the committee or volunteering at a festival event please come along to the Community Centre 7:15pm 27 February Messy Church Ulcombe Village Hall 4pm to 6pm 4 March

Forthcoming Events Bingo: every Tuesday and Sunday Night 8pm Quiz Night: first Tuesday of every month Whist Drive: every Friday 7.30pm Monthly Sea Angling Club Outside Bar,Hire.

Marque, BBQ & Bouncy CastleNight for Hire Private very Tuesday Sunday Members and Guests Only. All eventsand start at 8pm.

Private Hire. veryTuesday Tuesday and Sunday Night

HOKH Fire Walk You can join in the first Heart of Kent Hospice Fire Walk at Jubilee Square, Maidstone at 7pm. To book your place call 01622 790195.

Please also refer to the club section for any club events

BALLROOM & LATIN CLASSES Have we missed an event, or do you know about something coming up?

Let us know by emailing editorialslf@gmail.com and we’ll include it in the next edition, or on our social media.

WEEKLY GROUP CLASSES £5/person

Monday 5.45 - 6.45 : Children’s Ballroom & Latin (8-16yrs) 7.30 - 8.15 : Adult’s Ballroom & Latin (Beginners)

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8.15 - 9.00 : Adult’s Ballroom & Latin (Intermediate) Wednesday 4.30 - 5.15 : Under 8’s Ballroom & Latin (4-8yrs)

PLUS Wednesday Zumba Classes £5/person 8.15 - 9.00 : Zumba Fitness (12yrs+ only) Private lessons also available for individuals and couples, please contact the Studio for more information

Lenham Heritage

by Lesley Feakes PAGE 8

Clubs & Soc.

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@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

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Happy New Year to everyone.

O

ur programme of speakers for 2016 is nearly completed thanks to Merrilyn

Boorman.

Rain is probably on everyone’s mind this winter season, and sink holes often grab people’s attention. Often they owe their appearance to past underground excavations; partly filled in dene holes may suddenly open up with all the wet weather. Two did last year on the Downs above Lenham. The Boyds have a similar ‘hole’ that keeps needing earth to refill it on the field just to the east of Rayners Hill road (appropriately named).

I have noticed this year it seems to have sunk a little more…but nothing really to worry about and I do not think it is a forgotten dene hole! Last century there was a small sewer plant serving the long gone hospital but that was further north close to the Pilgrims Way in the next field. Google Earth is an invaluable information site to source /research these kind of things.

If you click on the clock on the tool bar you can go back to a 1946 aerial of Kent. It is not visible on that one but this does not mean it was not there. The 2003 aerial is the clearest picture of all and there is a whitish area surrounding it as if the chalk is affecting the soil.

Lenham Gardening Society

by Keith Varney

F

ebruary already; spring will soon be here thank goodness, I’m fed up with winter.

The meeting this month will be our Winter Social, hot and cold buffet, nibbles, wine and des-

I have made a drawing of what I can see there and the central ‘hole’ is 30 metres wide and some 50 metres long. If you compare this sketch with the drawing of Caerleon Roman amphitheatre near Newport, in Wales you will probably be surprised by the similarity!

Caerleon is just slightly larger as you can see by the scale and is a little more regular ….but then Rayner’s has been ploughed for many years.

There is another Roman Am-

phitheatre that one can walk across and actually view (almost the exact same size again) at the Roman Town of Silchester, 5 miles due north of Basingstoke.

The city still has most of its walls visible but there is not a lot else to see except plenty of grazing cows!

Makes a pleasant summer walk if you are ever that way! It is free to visit but belongs to English Heritage and is dug every year

by Reading University. It is where they found a wingless Roman eagle, lost from a Legion’s standard and Rosemary Sutcliffe wrote

serts.

Tickets are still available from Pat on 859084, cost £10, no better value anywhere! Reminder that there will be no competition this month due to the social.

Our March meeting will be on the 17th at 7.30 as usual. The competition will be one jar of marmalade and/or hyacinths in a basket.

At the AGM we asked members for their choices of outings, the top three locations were Shef-

the exciting story “The Eagle of the Ninth”. Well worth a read for teenagers or anyone for that matter.

NO! I have no plans whatsoever to dig down and see what is there on the Rayner’s field! There would be few finds to retrieve any way! Small finds would be deep down (and covered by piles of infill) and not that numerous at all. What is likely to be there (if at all) would be the remains of chalk block seating arranged around in tiers for the spectators!

What an amphitheatre (in that position) would indicate is that there was a Roman station or town of reasonable size somewhere in the vicinity. Lenham?

Lenham Heath? Charing? The theatre was always outside the town. There are hints at all 3 places, Charing has a large Roman villa/farm and things were found in all the sand pits.

So my spoof article in Jan Focus was not so far-fetched ….

Somewhere there is something major to be found by people of the future ….so keep your eyes peeled young archaeologists of 2026!!! You may have a chance to become an Indiana Jones!

field Park, Batemans and Great Comp. All three are National Trust properties so that should help in keeping the costs down.

We are hoping to lay on cream teas for each visit. Dates to be arranged but likely to be late April/early May, July and August respectively.

We hope to see as many of you as possible at our Winter Social so please do come along and enjoy a great night out.

Happy Gardening.

Young At Heart 60+ A very happy New Year to one and all. We hope you had a good Christmas.

Len Valley Community Hub Club We hope everyone had a good

Lenham W.I.

by Gill Simes

I am afraid I have very little to say this month, Christmas was reported in January, and as I write this, we have not yet had a Committee meeting to finalise this year’s programme, I will be able to update you on this in the March edition of Focus.

The Constitutional monarchy association The Constitutional Monarchy

Royal British Legion Women’s Section

We had no meeting in January.

Our next meeting will be Thursday February 18/02/16 at the Community Centre 2.00-4.00pm. Tom and Janetta Sams’ group Sixpenny Piece will be playing.

If you would like a lift please contact Jenny 01622859208.

As always a big thank you to all who help make these afternoons a success.

Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all.

We don’t have a meeting in January so our next meeting will be Thursday February 04/02/16 at the Social Club 2.00-4.00pm. We have a lady coming and her guide dog that is still

a puppy. I am looking forward to that and seeing you all after our break.

Thank you to all who help.

Martin, Fred, John, Jenny and Nina.

However, I can tell you that at this moment we are eagerly anticipating our post- Christmas meal at the Dog and Bear on 27th January. There is a District Programme Planning Meeting at Harrietsham on February 15th which I hope some members will be able to attend. We will also be having a ‘Dabble Day ‘ on March 5th when we will be having a go at ‘Felting’ in the morning, followed by a speaker

in the afternoon. This will be a free day for members.

Finally, do not forget our ‘Quiz Evening’ on February 20th Tables of four, tickets £8-50 per person to include a Ploughman’s Supper. Tickets from Carole Toner 01622 850048. or ask any W.I. member.

Why not make 2016 the year that you decide to say: ‘Hi, I’m W.I.’!!!

Association, whose aim is to support our monarchy, will be holding a meeting at the Dog & Bear Hotel, Lenham, on Saturday 20th February at 1.30 p.m., at which Sheila Boyd will talk about the life of the most colourful British monarch of recent times, King Edward VII.

The cost is £7.50, which includes tea or coffee and biscuits.

W

e meet this month on the 28th when we shall be working on Jan’s Annual Quiz. Usual meeting place Community Centre at

Olive, Sue, Jacky, Kath, Jackie, Fred, Martin, Jenny and Nina

For further information contact Mrs. Wendy Henderson on 01732 451769 or look on our website http://www. cmakent.org.uk/

2.30 p.m.

There will be a raffle and tea and biscuits.

by Enid La Plain

Lenham Surgery Tel: 858341 Mondays to Fridays 8:30am6:30pm. Closed 1-2pm Dispensary 8:30am-6:30pm Closed 12:30-2pm Urgent matters out of hours telephone. 0845 1450121 (6-6.30pm only) IC24. 111 (from 6.30pm)

Lenham Festival 2016

by Lenham Festival Committee PAGE 10

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

T

he 2016 Lenham Family Festival takes place from the 9th to 12th June 2016.

This fun event, that brings the whole community together and is affordable for families, will raise funds for Lenham Nursery School and The Heart of Kent Hospice and is not to be missed.

We already have a good number of stalls booked for the main community event on Saturday June 11th in the Community Centre car park. There will be refreshments for sale and music from local bands on the main stage throughout the day and evening. There will also be lots going on in the Community Centre, including dance and theatrical performances by various local groups.

We can confirm that Andrea, our Hungarian soprano, will again be singing a selection of “Songs from the Shows” at St Mary’s Church (date and time yet to be confirmed).

Thank you again to everyone who bought raffle tickets at the Christmas Lights Switch On. We raised a total of £260.

The next meeting of the Festival Committee will take place on February 25th at

Festival 2016

Fire Walk

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Challenge yourself to achieve something you never thought you could and walk on fire to raise vital funds for Heart of Kent Hospice.

Join an exclusive team of just 100 brave Fire Walkers in this once-in-a-lifetime challenge and take a 15 foot stroll across smouldering hot coals that

7.15pm in the Appleton Room at the Community Centre. As mentioned in previous months, we are particularly looking for helpers on the main day to assist the event’s success.

Even if you can only give an hour of your time it will be very helpful and much appreciated.

If you are interested in joining the committee or volunteering at any of the festival events,

you will be given a very warm welcome. If you would like to book a pitch for a stall, or enquire about volunteering, email lenhamfestival@gmail.com or ring 01622 859412.

can reach up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

with a minimum sponsorship requirement of £100. Much of the entry fee goes towards the cost of staging the event so we encourage you to raise as much as possible in sponsorship to help support our services.

The Fire Walk takes place on Friday 4th March at 7 pm at Jubilee Square in Maidstone ME14 1SA and is managed by a highly experienced team for whom the safety of the walkers is the top priority at all times.

Entry is limited to over 18s and the entry fee is £25.00

Look out for further details in each month’s edition of the Lenham Focus.

To book a place please call fundraising on 01622 790195 or visit our website www.hokh.org.

The Lenham Fire Brigade - The Early Years Text by Jim Myers

W

hat a pleasure it was to meet Steve Browne, Watch Manager, at Lenham Fire Station.

As our meeting was on a Monday evening I had the chance to see some first-aid training for the ‘on call’ team.

Lenham Fire Station is now part of the High Street landscape but what do we know about its history and operations? I, for one, knew very little, but was curious to learn. It’s an interesting story. This month’s article therefore concentrates on how the Brigade came into being and next month’s will focus on the Brigade’s role today, the people who form it and how lucky we are to have them.

The story starts back in February 1935, when Lenham had no fire service of its own and a fire at what is now Maureen’s Florist did great damage to buildings and the telephone switchboard next to the Post Office. It was quite a night for Lenham and despite the snow and ice the whole village turned out to do what they could. The fire began in a small florist’s shop and spread to the draper’s shop next door, Bradford’s. Worse, it tore its way through the living accommodation above it, where families were peacefully sleeping.

Esme Brown, sister to our present Mrs Jean Peter and then operating the village telephone switchboard, called the fire brigade and brigades from Maidstone, Ashford and possibly Charing and Headcorn rushed to the scene despite problems with the icy roads.

As a result of this nightmare, villagers began asking why Lenham could

not have its own fire brigade and with the wheels of authority moving slowly the village provided its own.

A volunteer fire service was formed probably in 1936 and certainly by mid 1937 when firemen of Lenham Fire Brigade No. 1 took part in a parade marking King George VI’s coronation (seen in the photograph).

Legislation the following year led to Hollingbourne Rural District Council taking over responsibility for local fire brigades, but was quickly followed by Maidstone taking over. By the time war broke out in September 1939, a national auxiliary fire service had been formed to work side by side with full time brigades, and Lenham became part of the AFS. A fire station was even built – a Nissen hut, costing £180 – and a

Ford V8 Saloon was turned into a fire tender to tow a trailer pump.

The next year the Fire Service went national and Lenham became 30 Fire Force Area of No. 12 Region. When the Kent Fire Brigade was formed in April 1948, Lenham became part of it, with Ron Harden becoming the first Sub Officer for Lenham, until he was badly injured in a fire. In 1961 the Nissen was finally retired and a new station built. In 2002 it was recorded that eight of the original 14 members when it opened were still serving.

Lenham Fire Station certainly has a history to be proud of and I’m looking forward to learning more about its current operations in time for next month’s issue.

Hello Lenham

PAGE 12

Hello Lenham

lenhamfocus.co.uk

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FEB 2016

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As you may have heard this year was the last year that myself, Brian and Richard were able to help put up the lights for you but we couldn’t go without saying a final thank-you and goodbye. It’s been an absolute pleasure being able to help make Lenham so festive and beautiful for the last 14 or so years and we’ve really enjoyed every single Sunday in the rain and snow putting the lights up. We’ve made some good friends and had some good laughs over the years but special thanks go to Richard Cuckow whose expert electrical knowledge has made it all happen without serious injury to anyone apart from himself. Thanks also to all the boys who help each

The Focus Website Look up our website for all the latest news, back editions and pricing information.

This gives you the reader the opportunity of reading our edition whilst on the go and advertisers the chance to advertise online as well as within our printed edition.

The website is new so we welcome any constructive feedback you have.

Visit www.lenhamfocus.co.uk

week to put them up, I’m sure you will all help again this year!

We’ve had lots of support from a variety of people along the way, far too many to mention but special thanks to the Red Lion for their contributions to our funds over the years which enabled us to buy all the new lights and displays. Also to the Dog and Bear for bacon butties to keep us going on cold November mornings, Homeleigh for the truck and Lenham Storage for the loan of the lorry, forklift and driver each year as well as Alan Reading who organises the events on the day for you. Also Phil Jarvis who hosts Santa and his Elves each year for us and one last thank you to all of you who come out on the day in all sorts of weather to support the event, it wouldn’t

be the same without you, cheers.

If there is anyone that we have missed we are really sorry but you have our thanks anyway.

Hopefully this year the lights will go on again and we look forward to seeing you all on Facebook enjoying yourselves, you never know we may even come back for Switch On day. So thanks again and long may the lights go on in Lenham.

Christine & Brian P.S, The article in the Focus last month from the Switch On committee was nothing to do with the guys who put up the lights, not sure who that was from as there hasn’t been a committee for over 10 years.

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Do you have an article or story that you would like published?

Let us know by emailing editorialslf@gmail. com and we’ll try and include it in the next edition!

Indomitable Sea Today the sea was unruly indomitable, dynamically such unbridled, undefeated beautiful unparalleled!

Oh! It is wonderful to look How they create new waves And they play with each other in chase.

On the wave are formed the mane On the mane more foam to shapes And are racing to with each other Which will be faster and which farther...

When I watch this amazing spectacle spectacular A great performance, the stunning dance, exceptional!

I am impressed by the charm of and I feel molecule of the world.

Maria Hayman

Thank You For a short time we missed the church bells in Lenham. They were silent, except on special occasions. No melodious Monday practice, silence on Sunday mornings.

Now they are back and we would like to say thank you to all those dedicated bell ringers who have given us back so much pleasure and restored the tradition of the village church bells.

Gillian and Hugh Pridham

FOOT CLINIC Mrs. Afstaneh Smith Foot Health Professional MCFHP MAFHP Flexible surgery hours Home visits undertaken Hubbards Farm, Lenham Heath, ME17 2BX

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Scarves • Silver Jewellery • Purses • Hair Accessories • Fashion Bags • Costume Jewellery • Occasion Bags • Fascinators

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Christian Message PAGE 16 FEB 2016

“Go and boil your head. No, the sun’s not made out of lava, it’s made out of gas you blimmin’ bummux,” Alfie tells George in “The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds,” a TV programme I watched last autumn. Amazing what children know and amazing their arsenal of inventive insults!

The night sky, space, our place in the universe has fascinated us since the dawn of humanity.

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Only 50 years ago on 3rd February 1966 the Soviet Union’s space probe Luna 9 became the first craft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. That was soon followed by the first manned moon landing in 1969

by America’s Apollo 11.

Now Major Tim Peake, the first British astronaut at the International Space Station is spending 6 months orbiting the earth doing experiments in zero gravity.

Mankind’s capacity for exploration and technological innovation is truly amazing. And the speed is similarly amazing, especially when you consider that there are still people alive, like the Queen, 90 this year, who remember when aeroplanes were in their infancy.

Mankind, made in God’s image, is creative and innovative. Even though we are beginning to explore and chart both space and the hidden depths of the oceans our capacity for wonder is still present.

Church

Psalm 19 begins: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

And Psalm 139 says Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

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If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

The Creator God who is behind our astonishingly varied and complex universe is also the God who knows us inside out. Psalm 139 continues, You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

This creative, innovative God, who sees into the depths of our secret, innermost thoughts wants to accompany us on our journey through his universe.

Perhaps on the next clear night we might look up at the stars and try to imagine their distance.

Then reflect that God is also close to us, nearer than anyone else.

Helen Venn

Rev Dick Venn Messy Mums twin a toilet Did you know that 40% of the world’s population does not have access to a toilet! As mums, we appreciate all our conveniences (!); nappies, changing mats, taps, toilets and baths! At Christmas at Messy Mums we collected enough money to twin a toilet.

A certificate is now hanging proudly in the church toilets showing us the toilet we’ve paid for in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Providing dignity and the prospect of good health for a family, our twinned toilet is helping flush away poverty.

Messy Mums is not just for mums; grannies, carers and dads bring their babies and children along to our friendly, supportive group which meets every Wednesday morning in term time in Lenham church. Toys, chat, tea and coffee, story time; come and join us. www.toilettwinning.org

The bells are ringing again in Lenham Next Messy Church The New Year was rung in from St Mary’s bell tower; the first time for some years. It was our new team of enthusiastic ringers who only started learning last January, rang for their first wedding in June and started ringing for Sunday services in September.

They rang for the popular Carol Service on Dec 20th, again for the Midnight service on Christmas Eve and then on New Year’s Eve. If you’d like to join them to learn – everyone’s welcome – please do come along to a practice at 7.30 on a Monday evening.

Most people are pleased to have the bells ringing out again but a few people are not so happy. It would be good to have some feedback from the people of Lenham; should we do the same again at the end of 2016? Or is it an anti-social nuisance? Drop me an email at vicar@lvb.org.uk with your opinion.

Saturday February 27th Ulcombe Village Hall 4pm – 6pm St Mary’s Church Flowers and Brass cleaning JANUARY 2016 January 2nd and 9th Mrs La Plain/Mrs Perks

January 16th and 23rd Mrs Humphrey January 30th and Feb 6 Mrs Porter/Mrs Barr A peaceful and happy new year to all who keep the Church looking so good with their polishing and flowers, and very many thanks.

Sue Greenwood

Len Valley Churches Service Times Sunday 7th February 9.30 am Lenham: Breakfast service 9.30 am Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 10.30 am Ulcombe: Family Worship 11.00 am Lenham: Holy Communion 3.30 pm Harrietsham: GIFT family worship Wednesday 10th February 7.30pm Ulcombe: Ash Wednesday Service Sunday 14th February 8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service 9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion 10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion 11.00am Lenham: Morning Worship 3.30pm Boughton Malherbe: Evensong Wednesday 17th February

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9.30am Lenham: Breakfast Service 9.30am Harrietsham: Morning Worship 9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion 10.45am Ulcombe: Morning Worship 11.00am Lenham: Holy Communion Saturday 27th February 8.00am Dog & Bear, Lenham: Men’s breakfast 4.00pm Ulcombe Village Hall: Messy Church 5.00pm Harrietsham: Prayer and Praise Sunday 28th February 8.00am Lenham: Holy Communion (Prayer Book) 9.30am Harrietsham: Holy Communion 9.30am Boughton Malherbe: Family Worship 10.45am Ulcombe: Holy Communion 11.00am Lenham: Family Worship

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Activate Fitness Facilites

Activate Sports Swadelands

Monday

St Johns Ambulance

St Johns Hall, Ham Lane

Badminton (Feathers) Bell Ring Monday Music Mayhem Parent & Toddlers Group Harr & Lenham Cubs Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Youth Club H/sham&Lenham Beavers St Johns Ambulance Lenham Youth Club Pilates classes

Community Centre St Mary’s Church Community Centre Community Centre (8-11 years) Community Centre Swadelands Ham Lane Harrietsham Scout Hut Cadets (10-18) Swadelands Ham Lane Community Centre

Messy Mums Babies + Toddlers Line Dancing LenARA Brownies 2nd Lenham Pilates classes Line Dancing Redbacks Explorer Scouts Guides 1st Lenham H/sham&Lenham Scouts Judo Club Lenham Youth Club

St Mary’s Church Community Centre Lenham Primary Sch Community Centre St Edmunds Platts Hth Kingswood Scout Hut Community Centre Harrietsham Scout Hut Community Centre Swadelands Ham Lane Activate Sports Hall Swadelands Harrietsham Primary School St Mary’s Church see separate church services page

8am-5pm 9.30-11.30am 10.00-12.00

Sunday

Activate Fitness Facilites French Books for Children Tea/Coffee/Cakes Sunday Schools

2nd Tuesday 1st Tuesday 1st Wednesday 4th Wednesday Last Wednesday 1st Thursday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday 2nd Sunday

Royal British Legion Lenham Valley Parish Council Meeting LenARA (active retired) Archaeology Club Reading Group Women’s Institute Lenham Gardening Soc. Lenham Country Market

Lenham Social Club Business Association Community Centre Community Centre Community Centre Lenham Library Community Centre Community Centre The Village Square

8pm 6-8pm 7.30pm 2pm 7.30pm 4.45-5.45pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 9-1.00pm

PAGE 18 Tuesday FEB 2016

Wednesday

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Stonebridge Associates Cybereye Security Curtains to Corsets Kent Design Studio Sweeney Todd Andy and Paul Apollo Elwood (Painter/decorators) KRS Building/decorating Stuttle Dyer (painters/decorators) Travis Perkins G B Lister Carpentry and General Building P Humpries Carpets direct Beaubray Caterers Little Dene Boarding Cattery

851542 858612 07541 000969 01580 230413 07734950329 850437 07808414965 01634308933 851126 01233 840004 01622 688809 858220 850364 858719 01233714999 763269 858510

Charted Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Coal Merchant Computer Services Dance Dog Grooming Dressmaking & Alterations Electricians/Gas fitters Fitness Foot Practitioner Funeral Directors Gardeners Garages Grocers Hairdressers Hall Hire Handbags and Jewellery Independent Living Ironing Services Landscaping Lawnmower Repairs Locksmiths Logs Martial Arts Nail Technician Newsagents Nurseries Osteopathy Parish Council Pest Control Pharmacy Photographer Plumbers Pool Services Pubs Restaurant Riding School Roofing Schools Solar Panel Installation Solicitors Takeaway Taxi Tree Surgeons TV Aerials Veterinary Surgery Will Services Window Cleaning

Inkstand cattery James Collett Debbie Brett Invicta Chimney Sweep Heathers Chiropody Surgery Amy McLaughlin Phynix Domestic cleaning Edmed Coal Harrietsham Computers Lynn MS Computer services Lenham Ballet School GDC School of Dancing Cuts for Mutts Pam AD Pink Electrics Barrie Weston Contractor MGI Electrical Activate Body and Soul Mrs Afsaneh Smith A W Court Mower Repairs Gowers Garage Lenham Village Store Phase Hairdressing Smarty’s Lenham Comm Centre Charing Heath Hall Immyblingy Will & Rose Ironing Services 4 U Ireland Landscapes Maidstone Landscapes and Paving Mowtastic A Short Seasoned Logs Martial Arts Boot Camp Beauty Nails Len Valley news Pennies Nurseries Graham Yates Bsc Ost (Hons) Chris Tempest D.O. M.Ost GOsc Reg Lenham Parish Council Pest Purge Saxon Warrior Andy Flood Photography All Fix Plumbing Epic Plumbimg Pure Plumbing J W Engineering Services Dirty Habit Lenham Social Club Red Lion Leeds Castle Uplands Riding School R and D Roofing Paul Grant Roofing Lorenden Greenman Solar Setfords Soicitors Thornloe and Co. Chequers Fish Bar The Cardamom Pod Arshed Mahmood Gez Clark Ambilly Tree Surgeons R & P TV Aerial services Harrietsham Vets Maidstone Wills and trusts Sparkles

859469 850608 01233714247 01622 632641 850376 07813030527 880028 260515 859442 745654 859969 850329 850800 07738 088169 858827 884774 01233712663 850055 853750 01622 853640 850840 07989333145 858210 858255 850001 851150 853800 01233 713317 298129 01732 845852 07956 629772 844605 851222 07989 333145 07738658751 07733328715 07502564478 07460 393777 858262 01622 737733 01304379954 07749 980096 01622 859682 842481 858287 07443 633385 851186 210298 769722 851713 880880 858890 858341 767777 01233 712289 858291 850855 01795590030 01233 612082 01622 231784 859416 859878 07770725129 07784447200 859113 631717 858666 01580 292320 07856 110682

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Badgers (St Johns Ambulance) Badminton Badminton Club Feathers Bowling Club Brownies (2nd Lenham) Drama Gardening Society Guides (1st Lenham) Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Heritage Lenham Nursery School Lenham Players Lenham Wanderers Lenham Social Club Harrietsham & Lenham Beavers Harrietsham and Lenham Scouts Harrietsham and Lenham Cubs Mother’s Union Pilates Classes Redback Explorer Scouts Royal British Legion St John Ambulance Women’s Institute St Edmunds Platts Heath Country Ways Quilters and stitchers Lenham Valley Business Association

Mrs Manley Linda Bird Neil Rouse Lyn Fuller Andrea French Gail Kelly Keith Varney Mrs J Thomsett Mrs Pat Abson Lesley Feakes Sarah Siddons Janet Moll Steve Campbell Club Events Duncan Keenan Nick Still Mrs A Seales Mrs J Thomsett Vivien Elcomb Mark Horlock Mr W Peter Mrs Bond Mrs C Toner Karen Yardley Jan Haines Alan Reading

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Borough Councillors:

Tom Sams Janetta Sams (Roads, Pavements)

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Lenham Neighbourhood Plan PAGE 22

@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

by Martin Porter

We know there is a real possibility that our village will increase by over 1500 new houses by 2030 if Maidstone Borough has its way.

Some house building has to take place of course but, as residents, we have the legal right to produce a plan stating how many houses should be built, who they should be for and where they should be sited. This is important given the unique status of our village and its situation in the Kent countryside. We live in an area of mostly unspoilt countryside, some of it is designated as ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB) and our historic village forms part of the setting of the AONB. We have numerous irreplaceable assets, both

agriculturally and ecologically.

Following the first murmurings of the plans being produced by Maidstone Borough Council, ‘Save Lenham’ was created, and a Lenham Neighbourhood Plan began to be addressed.

I feel it is time that we thanked all those who have spent so many hours considering the enormous task that lies ahead.

The work involved is complex and sometimes daunting, but all those who give their time willingly and without financial reward deserve our gratitude.

But we must make sure we properly address the intention of Maidstone Borough Council to steamroller their poorly thought out proposals upon us.

To accept all the proposed building would spell the end of our ‘village’ as such, but to support reasonable development would be the way we can all help to keep this wonderful place for our future generations and those who will move here one day.

This is precisely what the draft Neighbourhood Plan is intended to deliver.

Even if you have given your views in the past it is important you share your current thoughts in the next, last phase of consultation. We have to keep talking to each other and sharing views so as to have a Neighbourhood Plan which is right for most people in Lenham.

Please keep an eye out for announcements for this important official (Regulation 14) consultation which will last 6 weeks. During that time, likely to start as early as February, there will be opportunities to discuss the Plan and share your views.

The more we comment, the more the Neighbourhood Plan will reflect what Lenham wants rather than Maidstone’s idea of ‘planting’ 1750 houses onto the green fields around the village.

We need to tell all our friends and family to get involved.

Later this year we will all have

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the chance to vote on whether we accept the proposed final Lenham Neighbourhood Plan (the parish’s recommendations for future

development). If 51% of the votes cast are in favour then our decision will become legally binding.

So it’s vitally important that we all read and consider the Plan and then make our decision.

Lenham Wanderers

comfortably dispatched. With U16s ahead for the first time in the game they show the old guys how well they can pass the ball.

back on the U16s. The U16s Captain Robert Langford makes a couple of great defensive headers against pretty big opposition. Captain Langford drives his side on and Henry comes up with his second goal of the game to put the game at 3-3 with five minutes to go.

by Mike Kingsman

The year started for Lenham Wanderers U16s with a friendly at Swadelands 3G against a Monday Night Vets side. It was a good test for the lads to see how they could compete in men’s football and prepare them for next season.

At 16 they can play in the men’s football league and hopefully as they improve and become stronger they will move up into the Lenham Wanderers Men’s Reserves.

The game was played in a good spirit with both sides creating a number of chances but it was the seniors who opened the scoring after 5 minutes from a good shot just outside the box. The U16s suddenly woke up and got their reward as the under 16 striker Henry long range strike put them back on level terms.

After 30 minutes some of the Vets are struggling to keep up with the pace of the game and look like they needed an oxygen tent or a pint down the Dog & Bear. Anthony Kerry Wright playing in goal for the men’s team (as Steve Campbell was supposedly injured) was up against his old team and made a couple of excellent saves to keep the game interesting. Finally the breakthrough came as Sam Kingsman was tripped in the penalty box and the U16s were awarded a penalty which Sam

It took an old wise centreback Mark Homes and the U16s coach to bring the boys back down to earth.

Standing 6 foot 4 and 16 stone he soon puts a stop to the bit of arrogance the young lads show as a few crunching tackles go flying in. With rugby legend Andy Faithfull competing against Elliott Homes for high balls in the middle of the park it was a real test for men against boys.

Towards the end of the first half the U16s are caught out (again) by one of younger members of the Vets’ team (Arron). With his electric pace he dispatches his shot with authority and gave Jay no chance in the U16s goal. It was virtually a carbon copy of the first goal the Vets scored (something to work on).

Both teams gave everything to try and win the game but relieved as the final whistle was blown. The Vets are going to find it harder next year!

Lenham Wanderers FC are looking for coaches to run several age groups for next season. If you are interested please contact Steve Campbell - (dougalcampbell@ hotmail.co.uk).

After 45 minutes the Vets collapse on the floor looking for their cigarettes and any available subs !

Both sides make substitutions for the second half and the game starts at a very fast pace. With fresh legs both sides try and play neat tidy football but it’s the goalkeepers who are the stars of the game. Eventually the Vets get a lucky break with a deflected shot which sends Jay the wrong way and the ball ends up in the back of the U16s goal. With Ben Hughes and Robert Langford moving from centre back into midfield the game starts to open up and adds a bit of pace to the game. The Vets turned to a long ball game as the legs can’t give anymore and managed to win a few corners to put pressure

Do you have an article or story that you would like published?

Let us know by emailing editorialslf@gmail.com and we’ll try and include it in the next edition!

Ten Years of Trading

by GB Lister PAGE 24

GB Lister

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

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T

his February we are celebrating trading for 10 years as GB Lister. A decade ago the nation was tuning into The Saturday Kitchen hosted by Anthony Worall-Thompson & Gregg Wallace, and MasterChef had just returned to our screen with its new format and hosts, John Torode & Gregg Wallace.

Over these 10 years we have enjoyed becoming part of the Lenham community! We are very proud that we trade from the same shop that my Grandfather, Norman Funnell did nearly half a century ago.

Starting out as just a Butchers shop myself, we grew by adding the veg shop and now we are offering an online ordering service too as well as outside catering for functions and events.

Our aim is to offer a service that people know and trust, reliable products and realistic prices are our way to prove that we are committed to Lenham and our local environment. We try to source as many of our products as locally as possible, using local seasonal supplies particularly in the summer months when there is an abundance of fruit grown in the surrounding area.

Volunteering For Heart Of Kent Hospice Throughout the year, the Heart of Kent Hospice organises a wide range of fundraising events for which ad hoc helpers are required on the day to support with a range of tasks. We are currently looking for volunteers for a number of outdoor weekend and evening events and if you are able to offer your services for any of the following events please con-tact Nicola

Our beef comes from Round Oaks Highland Cattle near Sutton Valence. We even sell local pheasants & venison in season. In the early days I used to rear my own lambs, but as the shop has grown I have had to concentrate on the retail side and source these from the Romney Marsh.

Lenham is a village with traditional values and events that bring the community together, from the Sunday Markets to the lighting of the Christmas lights.

Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Lenham market dates back to 1088, when the village was an important crossroad settlement.

Technically the fact that Lenham is allowed a market makes it a

Smith at fundraising on 01622 790195: FIRE WALK – FRIDAY 4TH MARCH – JUBILEE SQUARE MAIDSTONE – ME14 1SA (EVENING) MAIDSTONE ROAD RUN – SUNDAY 20TH MARCH – CORNWALLIS ACADEMY, MAIDSTONE ME17 4HX (DAY TIME) BLUEBELL WALK – SUNDAY 1ST MAY – HARRIETSHAM VILLAGE HALL, ME17 1AP (DAY TIME) IT’S A KNOCKOUT – SUNDAY

town but the community have always desired to maintain its village status. We look forward to the Lenham Family Festival, which highlights the community during a weekend of fun & games. We hope that you will enjoy many burgers, made by us, and cooked by the local Scouts.

We are also present at many other local events including the Charing Point to Point Meets and the Kent Show where we are very pleased to supply our high class burgers and butchers sausages.

Thank you for your continued support, we are proud to be a local business serving our local community.

15TH MAY – MOTE PARK, MAIDSTONE, ME15 7SU (DAY TIME) BRANDS HATCH 10K AND FUN RUN – FRIDAY 3RD JUNE, BRANDS HATCH, DA 3 9NG (EVENING) RAINBOW 5K FUN RUN – SUNDAY 19TH JUNE, MOTE PARK, MAIDSTONE ME15 7SU (DAY TIME) Compassionate, respectful, acting with integrity and working together to achieve our vision and purpose.

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Success comes from working together.

LVBA Networking is about meeting people in business just like you.

Lenham Valley Business Association covers your area and is Independently run - not a franchise. We choose local venues around your area and have interesting speakers with useful help and guidance relevant to your business. Our joining fees for a sole trader are just £75 for the year. For that you can attend all our monthly meetings, get 4 mentions on our website and in our directory - one planned for this year. Here’s the 2016 dates for your diary (put them in now before you forget: Tuesday 1 March; Tuesday 5 April; Tuesday 3 May; Wednesday 25 May combined with SMBA: Tuesday 5 July: Tuesday 2 August: Tuesday 6 September; Tuesday 4 October; Tuesday 1 November; Tuesday 6 December combined with SMBA. Relaxed, friendly, beneficial and fun. If you haven’t yet tried it you are missing out on a good opportunity for your business. Try it for free but please register. Register online or by phoning 01622 820841.

R.O.A.R. New members and one off visitors welcome, you can try it out for FREE - we are sure you’ll like networking with LVBA. Launched in 2009.

Events start at 17:45. Register on our website, on registration page.

Events are organised by Alan Reading, Custom Marketing Resources, design and marketing, online and printed. One Call does it All! Keep up to date (& to join) www.lenhambusiness.co.uk or call 01622 820841

PAGE 26 FEB 2016

Save the Lenham Pond Site, source of the Rivers Stour and Len

by Merrilyn Boorman

I

n February 2014 a planning application was made for 12 houses to be built behind the pond opposite Groom Way on the Old Ashford Road with access through Glebe Gardens.

Pond

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The application is still under consideration and I am desperate to save this wonderful oasis of a wildlife habitat. We know that we will have to accept a huge number of new houses all

The Hungry Mum

by B Williams 2015

It was just after dawn at Valley Farm The frosty mist swirled all around A cross redshank gave out an alarm And paws marked the frozen ground Silently, she slipped under the shrubs On this mission she must succeed Back in the den were four famished cubs Desperately, waiting to feed She passed the snare that was set there Through the tiny gap under the netting She saw a pair of white ducks in there Still sleeping and danger forgetting The vixen knew what she must do

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around the village. The square is almost permanently full of cars so hardly of any recreational value on a day to day basis, so to go to the pond and feed the ducks is a happy little family outing. I have seen kingfishers, heron, snipe and no doubt there are many other animals such as hedgehogs, as well as grass snakes, slowworms, newts, toads, frogs and oh so much other wonderful wildlife. The golden king cups are glorious in the spring.

The developer, I understand, has said that should he get permission for the houses he will give the actual pond to the village. This is not going to leave us with a valuable so-cial asset for the village. To save the area as something special, animals, birds, reptiles and insects need to be able to access nesting and

And grabbed the drake and killed it She turned and fled; those cubs would be fed She thought, tasting its blood as she spilled it She sprung up the fence by some second sense And got over the top, duck and all The collie gave chase in a life or death race Which she won at the farmyard wall She made for the wood as fast as she could The old collie gave up and retired The odds had changed, she was well out of range But the farmer’s gun was still fired He had missed his mark for a change A tad slow from his bed and down pass the cowshed And just grabbing his gun in a hurry He cussed as he rushed only glimpsing her brush When his bare feet slid on the

hibernating sites away from the banks of the pond.

This age-old pond which has been a focal point for villagers for centuries is the source of the River Stour, so how can we allow it to be ruined?

I walked round the back of the pond this morning (January 5th) and much of the land is under water despite the drain that has been put along the rear fence. For much of the year the proposed development land is a bog.

If you agree with me please write to Maidstone Planning Dept., Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone, Kent ME15 6JG re Application No.MA/14/0174 for the attention of Mr Richard Timms.

slurry Our Mum was in luck, reached her den with the duck And the cubs were soon squabbling and snarling Except for ‘Young Chuck’ who’d found milk to suck She thought him her own little darling Now the sun was way up and she slept with ‘the pups’ Aware of how lucky she’d been That farmer is angry and will not give up So she must keep her eyes and ears keen Her den in the wood she’d chose well as she could An old badger sett under an oak The cubs all got fed and at least she’s not dead So for today, at least, Life remains good.

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Focus on Nature

by Derek Budge PAGE 28

Nature

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

Birds of the Night

I

t must have been at a very early hour, perhaps some time after midnight, that I awoke recently and lay still for some time, just listening.

Soon I was drifting off to sleep again when I heard the unmistakable call of the Tawny Owl, popularly described as “towhit to-who”, but in reality there is no trace of sharp consonants and it is a much softer “hoohoo hoooo”, the final note being prolonged in a somewhat quivering fashion.

That wonderful sound induced in me very positive feelings of pleasure, partly exhilaration and partly a comforting sensation to realise that unlike my own sleep state, there was a creature nearby in a state of total alertness and on the look-out for its next meal.

The light-collecting capacity of an owl’s eye is remarkably high and when this quality is supported by an acute sense of hearing, the result is an incredibly efficient detecting system which then can be put to effective use as the owl silently flies towards its prey.

I have a very vivid memory of a holiday in Northern Ireland some years ago when our two sons were quite young. We had rented a bungalow on the coast of Donegal which was situated in almost total isolation apart from a nearby lighthouse. One early morning I was sitting near the water’s edge when there was no wind, the sea was flat calm and even the sea-birds seemed to have stopped their usual chorus of sounds.

I must have been in a deep reverie because I remember suddenly being startled by a

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noise, and that noise came from the wings of a herring gull as it flew past above my head. Never had I been conscious of such a sound because it would always have been masked by so many other noises, I was so surprised and amazed by the quality of that silence.

Now if that bird had been an owl, I would have remained without any sensation of disturbance, because the design of the owl’s wings and feathers is one which achieves an aerodynamically brilliant capacity to fly in total silence, undetected by prey which themselves have acute hearing.

Along with most other night birds, owls have traditionally been associated with superstitious fears which go back to the earliest recorded historical times. One of the most ancient references is in the form of a prayer or supplication in the text of the Rig Veda.

“Be propitious to us when the owl emits that painful cry” The Romans seemed to hate and despise the owl, and the symbolism of owls in English literature followed the traditions of the Latin classics.

Shakespeare echoes Plutarch when Casa speaks.

“And yesterday the bird of night did site Even at noonday, upon the market-place, Hooting and shrieking” (Julius Caesar) and again, with the chilling words of Lady Macbeth, “Hark!-Peace!

It was the owl that shriek’d the fatal bellman Which gives the stern’st good night.”

In virtually all countries where owls are found, there is this association with death and disasters. Country people

throughout Britain believed that these birds nested in ruined buildings not for shelter, but because such places were likely to be haunted. To come across one in daylight was thought to be particularly unlucky, and in Cheshire, a man who looked into an owl’s nest would be likely to remain melancholy for the rest of his life.

The witches in Macbeth incorporated an owlet’s wing as “a charm of powerful trouble”, and right back to the time of Horace, we can read of owls’ feathers being used in witches’ brews.

All is not doom and gloom however, as other early records from ancient Greece describe how an owl’s egg given to a child ensured that it would never become a drunkard, and this belief was evident in this country as late as the 17th Century, when such drunkards were fed a broth of the same eggs to break the habit. Various owl preparations were also used medicinally for treating gout and the bites of mad dogs!

The Greeks regarded owls as birds of the Goddess Athena, and if one flew over the soldiers in times of war, they could be assured of victory over their enemies; perhaps the leaders of the time kept some tame ones to give their troops a psychological boost when most needed.

I shall ignore all the sombre associations however, when next I wake up during the hours of darkness to hear that most evocative and beautiful sound, and I will reflect on the owl’s wisdom.

“A wise old owl sat on an oak, The more he saw, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard, Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?”

(E.H. Richards)

Lenham Family Festival 9th-12th June

Family day on Saturday 11th June

12 noon - 9pm at Lenham Community Centre For details contact Janetta 01622 859412 www.lenhamfamilyfestival.co.uk

Registered Charity Number 298164

PAGE 30

Royal Mail

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Great British Fish and Chips

supper but we will also give you additional fundraising ideas to raise even more money for SIA.

injury.

Great British Fish and Chip Supper – Friday 20th May 2016

Just £50 could contribute towards the support from our Peer Support Service for one hour, in a district general hospital or Major Trauma Centre.

Opting out of Royal Mail’s Door to Door service The opt out service only relates to unaddressed mail.

Royal Mail is still legally obliged to deliver all addressed mail, which includes mail that is addressed “To the Occupier” (or with any other generic recipient information), as well as mail that is personally addressed to you by name.

It is not possible for Royal Mail to separate material you don’t want from those you do want For example: advertising offers or leaflets from material from Central and Local Government and other public bodies.

Opting out from Royal Mail Door to Door stops all unaddressed items from being delivered by us (although we do work with

Want to eat Fish and Chips, while raising money for charity?

Hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 20th May 2016 whilst raising awareness of spinal cord injury and supporting SIA’s vital services.

You can hold a fish and chip supper in your own home, at work or hold a larger supper at your local community centre.

SIA will provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and donation envelopes. By inviting 8 friends and asking them to donate an additional £5.00 means you will raise at least £40.00 from your

In 2016 we want to make the batter matter and raise £40,000 from everyone holding suppers.

Last year we raised £12,000 from the suppers.

The money raised from the suppers will help the Spinal Injuries Association offer support to individuals who become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and encourage paralysed people to rebuild lives after spinal cord

Every year in the UK over 1,000 people experience a spinal cord injury and there are an estimated 40,000 spinal cord injured people in the UK alone.

Community Fundraising Manager, Elizabeth Wright, says, “The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity for a great evening with friends and family. We are also encouraging people who work to hold a Fish and Chip Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds. You may be even a local community group wanting to run a fun evening with your group.

For more information or request a fundraising pack call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350 or email fundraising@ siafishandchips.co.uk or visit www.siafishandchips.co.uk.

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COMPUTING FOR BEGINNERS One to One Computer and iPad Training in your own home.

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Prize Crossword

PAGE 32

Crossword

lenhamfocus.co.uk

@lenhamfocus

FEB 2016

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ACROSS 1. Solvers’ reaction to an impossible crossword. (4,3,2) 6. Bird to take home. (5) 9. They penetrate you to the bone. (1,4) 10. Moaning as your appendix might be.

(9) 11. Juiciness of certain plants, we here.

(10) 12. Insect I oppose. (4) 14. Stripes made for clergy. (7) 15. Twice present but unseen. (7) 17. Topless groups’ deeds. 7) 18. Song left at Gatwick maybe. (7) 20. Nasty Ken hides a mischievous child. (4) 22. Mum is one and so is dad! (10) 25. A needled woman. (9) 26. Simple part of a church one gets in to. (5) 27. Bin association that is full. (5) 28. Now quietly depend on being ecstatic inside. (9) DOWN 1. Meals keep ten inside in American state. (5) 2. Revolutionist in an arch is too exposed. (9) 3. Talk about piece of sports equipment raised endless din. (10) 4. Awards for temperature measurements. (7) 5. Consommé maybe for Tory. Just a drop. (7) 6. Bore changes dress. (4) 7. Surrounded by fibre I looked on the bright side. (5) 8. Being careless, I get Glenn to struggle. (9) 13. Scottish leisure activity needing metal. (5,5) 14. RC capital could be useful.

(9) 16. Money man for eastern organisation with no confusion. (9) 18. Begin to put rats back. (5,2) 19. Enliven meat in a stew. (7) 21. Pummel and hurt in the groin by the sound of it. (5) 23. Each woman on the outskirts of Rugby. (5) 24. Begin a kind of golf tournament. (4)

Last months solution.

December winner: Miss A. Joy, of Harrietsham January Winner: Annette Tomarken of Lenham Please leave your completed crossword entry at Lenham Library on or before the 15th of the month.

Beauty Nails

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Pedicures will take off all hard skin on your heels and help to fix ingrowing toe nails.

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ish at Brit The Gre

r Suppe es Association juri

pinal In

rting S

Suppo

6 ay 201 20th M Friday

Read the focus from wherever you are Make the batt

er matter

Hold a Great Bri tish Fish and Ch ip Supper to help rebuild lives aft er spinal cord inj ury.

To request a fun draising pack: Call 01908 2085 41 Email fundraisin g@siafishandch ips.co.uk Visit www.siafis handchips.co.uk Regi stered Charity No

1054097

lenhamfocus.co.uk

for raise money Have fun and

the SIA

Friends of St Mary’s Church, Lenham – PAGE 34 FEB 2016

Do you care about our heritage and the preservation of an ancient and beautiful building?

We wish you a very happy new year from the Friends of St Mary’s committee. It is an exciting start to 2016 as scaffolding will soon be erected to begin the three window repairs to the front of the church and then the stain glassed east window. The repair to the glass and the surrounding masonry work is urgently needed and the Friends of St Mary’s are very pleased to be able to spend £13,850 to complete the works.

We are currently looking at our next spend which is likely to be new guttering, internal painting and pew repairs. Without membership fees, some very generous donations and our fund raising events we would not be able to undertake any of this necessary work.

Our next fund raising event is scheduled for the spring; more details to follow in the forthcoming Focus magazines. The quinquennial report states that the total repairs will cost £150,000. If you would like help by joining us; all you need to do is complete and return the form below.

Thank You.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

I would like to join the Friends of St Mary’s Lenham.

Name……………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………............................................

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I enclose £15.00 for annual membership

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Please notify the ‘Friends of St Mary’s, Lenham’ if you: • • •

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Please send your completed form and cheque to the Chairman: Andrew Barr, The Oast House, East Lenham Farm, Lenham ME17 2DP

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